“She's pregnant.”
“Your girl?”
He nodded. “And she hates me.”
“I thought you couldn't have kids,” Vince said slowly. “The doctors were wrong?”
“No, it was just a miracle. Likely this is the only child I’ll ever have. I doubt lightning will strike twice. But it's not just about the baby. Even if there wasn't a baby involved I'd still want her. She's unlike any woman I've ever met in my life and I don't know how I can possibly live without her.”
“Then don't.”
He looked to Vince. “What do you mean?”
“I mean don't live without her. It's pretty damn clear to me that you’re useless without her. So quit whining like a bitch, quit drowning your sorrows like a pussy and go get your woman!”
Was it that simple? Should he have stood his ground? Should he have taken his licks as he deserved and done whatever it took to regain her good graces? All signs pointed to yes. “But what if she won't take me back?”
Vince looked disgusted. “Stop being a baby. That woman is having your kid but she already has your heart. You’re useless here. Go get her.”
Boston shook his head. It would never work. “I can't strong-arm her. Not this time.”
“Then put on some Boston Kincaid charm. I know you're probably rusty in that department but the Boston I knew could charm the pants off any girl. Just by being the good guy.”
“The good guy…” It’d been a long since he’d considered himself a good guy. Not since Gigi. Was it possible? Could he be the man he used to be? He looked to Vince and was suddenly very grateful for his old friend. The friend he’d always worried would end up dead of a venereal disease, and suddenly laughed in spite of the pounding in his head. “I can't believe I'm going to say this but, Vince, that was the best advice I’ve ever heard. Thanks man.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Hey, don't mention it. Sometimes we fuck up. But the love of a good woman will always be what the doctor ordered.”
At the mention of the word doctor, Boston scowled. “That reminds me there's a certain doctor who’s in the way.”
“I hate to break it to you but it's your fault for leaving her wide open for someone to poach. You've got what it takes to win her back. So go do it. However, I'd shower first because you look like shit and you don't smell very good either.”
Boston laughed. “I hear you. Can I use your shower?”
“Please do.”
Vince slid the key over to Boston. “Lock up when you're done. When you get things patched up with your girl, give me a call and we’ll do dinner or something. The wives love to have dinner parties. It's sort of their thing.”
Boston smiled, unable to believe how the universe had changed when he hadn’t been paying attention. But you know what, he kinda liked this new universe where the Buchanans were decent people. They'd always been friends but the Buchanans had always walked on the wild side — a little too wild at times.
Vince let himself out while Boston finished his coffee. He had a lot of work to do. But nothing was going to stop him from doing it.
Like Vince said, time to man up and stop being a pussy.
-9-
Julianna closed her eyes to the warm sun and dug her toes into the powder-soft sand, desperate to find some kind of peace amidst the war zone of her mind. Miles had been so wonderful for the past few days, not only caring for her well-being but her emotional health, too, but she’d needed a break from everything and everyone. She appreciated Miles’ thoughtfulness but Boston was too stuck in her mind — and heart — to allow anything to blossom. Initially, her reluctance had seemed understandable as she’d been shell-shocked by everything that’d gone down but as the days wore on and nothing more than a friendly flutter had tickled her chest when she thought of Miles, she knew with a sinking heart that she couldn’t give Miles false hope that she’d ever feel anything more. Somehow, she’d have to find the way to break it to Miles and she wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Lilah’s soft, friendly voice cut through her turbulent thoughts as she spread her towel beside Julianna as if they were besties, not that Julianna minded. She could use another girl’s perspective. She smiled in welcome and admitted, “I think this beach has magical properties because I always feel so much more centered when I just sit here and listen to the waves.”
“Oh, it totally has magic,” Lilah agreed as if that were common knowledge. “My grandmother, who was a fish in another life, used to say that the water here was nothing short of total magic. Having a bad day? Go down to the water and splash around a bit. Mad at your husband, go for a long swim. Stuck in your own head, go wiggle your toes in the sand, which seems to be what you’ve already figured out,” she said, pointing at Julianna’s sandy toes.